See what kind of great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1 (NIV)How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And we are.
1 John 3:1 (NIV)The Image of God as Father
For many people, the word Father conjure up negative images. An absent father. A harsh father. A disappointed father. A father who is never satisfied. This is not God. This is not what He is like.
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to call God "Abba." This is an intimate term, like "Daddy" or "Papa." It is not distant. It is not formal. It is personal, close, warm. This is who God is.
The enemy wants you to believe God is like your worst earthly father. But God is nothing like that. He is not disappointed in you. He is not waiting to punish you. He is not keeping score. He is wildly, lavishly, unconditionally in love with you.
What Is His Love Like?
John writes, "See what kind of great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1). The word "lavished" means poured out abundantly. This is not stingy love. This is extravagant love.
His love is not based on your performance. It does not increase when you do well and decrease when you fail. It is constant, steady, unwavering. He loves you the same yesterday, today, and forever.
His love is not earned. It is given. You cannot earn it. You cannot lose it. It is a gift. Receive it. It is already yours.
How His Love Heals
If you have never experienced a father's love, it is hard to believe God is a good Father. Your wound makes it hard to receive what He wants to give. This is why healing involves letting God replace the image.
But when you experience His love, everything changes. The wound heals. The lie is replaced with truth. The father wound is healed by the Father. The absence is replaced with presence. The harshness is replaced with tenderness.
This is why Jesus came. Not just to forgive your sins. Not just to give you heaven. To reveal the Father's heart. "Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). What Jesus is like, God is like. And He is wildly in love with you.
Receiving His Love
Receiving His love requires letting go of the lies. Let go of the image of a harsh father. Let go of the belief that you are not good enough. Let go of the fear that He is disappointed.
Receiving His love requires running to Him. Not away. Run to the Father. Let Him hold you. Let Him comfort you. Let Him speak truth to your wounded places.
His love is the answer to every wound. Every fear. Every lie. His love is the foundation. Build on it. It will hold.
Receive His Love
Sit quietly and imagine God as your Father. A good Father. A loving Father. Let Him hold you. Let Him speak to you. Let Him pour out His love. Do not run. Receive.
- What image of a father have I been projecting onto God?
- How does knowing God as a loving Father change things?
- What would change if I fully believed He loves me extravagantly?
- How is God's love different from the love I received on earth?
- What would my life look like if I really believed I am loved?
- How can I let His love heal my father wounds?
Pray: "Father, show me Your love. Let me feel it. Let me know it. I open my heart to receive." Be still. Let Him love you. You are loved.
Father, thank You for loving me.
Thank You for being a good Father. Thank You for Your extravagant love. I receive it. I open my heart to it.
Heal my father wounds with Your Father love. Replace every lie with truth. Let me know I am loved. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You are loved. Not because you earned it. Not because you are good enough. Simply because you are His. And He lavishes love on His children. Receive it. You are so loved.
With honesty and hope,
Claire